Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain the University of
West Georgia’s top priority. Campus leaders, including health experts, emergency management
personnel, and others, are closely monitoring the evolving Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
outbreak and its effects to campus.

As of 12 p.m. on June 5, 2020, we are aware of 8 members of the University of West
Georgia community (students or employees) who have tested positive for COVID-19.

For the Most Recent Information, Visit These Sources:

10 Things You Should Know:

University of West Georgia classes are now online, and all summer semester instruction
(including Maymester) will be delivered remotely. For more information, read this campus message.

The UWG Student Health Center is currently open for medical care Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.
and from 1-4 p.m. In order to decrease the chance of COVID-19 exposure and spread, students are asked
to call 678-839-6452 to speak with a staff member to schedule an in-person or telemedicine
appointment, as there are no walk-in services at this time. We have limited our care to acute conditions, and therefore will not be doing routine
exams such as PAP smears. If a student needs refills of medications, they may call
678-839-6452 during office hours. As always, if it is a medical emergency, call 911. If students have questions regarding immunizations, please email immunize@westga.edu. Students may schedule a consultation with one of our advocates by calling 678-839-6452.
Health Services continues to provide confidential victims services via our 24-hour
crisis line at 470-215-9946.

All University System of Georgia institutions will remain open but will operate with
minimal staffing on campus to ensure the continuity of critical services. Most faculty
and staff members, with minimal exceptions, are working remotely.

For faculty and staff who need to come to campus, please practice social distancing
and track your status using the eTracks application.

The UWG Counseling Center is operating remotely. For students, staff, or faculty seeking resources you can
visit the Counseling Center webpage for links to resources that may help during this unprecedented time. For students
who are being served by the center and have questions, please email your counselor
at counseling@westga.edu. You may also call 678-839-6428 and choose option 1 to leave a message. Messages
are checked hourly. As always, the Counseling Center is available to students in crisis 24 hours a day,
7 days a week. Call 678-839-6428 and choose option 2 for the on-call counselor. Additionally, UWG is partnering with Sharpen Colleges to provide mental health support
to students free of charge until August. For more information, read this UWG News story announcing the partnership.

Campus tours and visits are canceled until further notice. We invite you to take a
virtual tour of campus.

All events (student- or faculty/staff-sponsored) are canceled or postponed until further
notice.

UWG residence halls are closed to all students except those approved to remain on
campus following the university’s transition to remote instruction. No other students
or guests outside of those approved to remain on campus are allowed in the residence
halls.

The University System of Georgia has provided guidance to campuses on refunds for
housing, dining, and other services. UWG has begun to process refunds to students
who have paid mandatory fees for campus services that have been discontinued for the
remainder of the semester. Students required to move out of residence halls and/or
students who will no longer have access to dining services will be provided a pro-rated
refund of the remaining balance. For more information, read this campus message.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued Level 3 travel warnings for countries around the world due to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

What You Should Do:

Wash your hands: see this guidance from the CDC on how and when to most effectively wash your hands.

If you need to shop for food or medicine at the grocery store or pharmacy, stay at
least 6 feet away from others.

Consider a grocery delivery service.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others, including when
you have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store.

Stay at least 6 feet between yourself and others, even when you wear a face covering.

Avoid large and small gatherings in private places and public spaces, such as a friend’s
house, parks, restaurants, shops, or any other place. This advice applies to people
of any age, including teens and younger adults.

International students, especially those from countries impacted by COVID-19, should:

Exercise proactive measures around planned summer travel. Specifically, students should
monitor airline service and immigration policy updates, and consider alternative plans
if warranted.

FAQs

What is a coronavirus?

Common human coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract
illnesses, like the common cold. Most people get infected with these viruses at some
point in their lives, according to the CDC. These illnesses usually last for a short time.

The new coronavirus can cause mild illness that can be overcome, but more severe cases
can be life-threatening. The people more likely to get very sick from the virus are
those over the age of 65, having underlying diseases such as bad heart or lung disease,
liver or kidney disease, have cancer or are immunocompromised.

Cases of COVID-19 and instances of community spread are being reported in all states.
People in places where ongoing community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19
has been reported are at elevated risk of exposure, with the level of risk dependent
on the location.

Healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure.
Close contacts of persons with COVID-19 also are at elevated risk of exposure. Travelers
returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring
also are at elevated risk of exposure, with level of risk dependent on where they
traveled.

What are the symptoms of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (known as COVID-19)?

Reported illnesses have ranged from people being mildly sick to people being severely
ill and dying. According to the CDC, symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness
of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure,
according to the CDC.

How do coronaviruses spread?

According to the CDC, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species
of animals. When person-to-person spread has occurred, it is thought to have happened
mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes
similar to how influenza spreads but can also be spread from contact with contaminated
surfaces (handles, counters, light switches, etc.).

Does UWG have a plan for its response to COVID-19 spreading rapidly in the U.S.?

UWG has a number of comprehensive plans in place to address emergencies, including
those resulting from infectious disease. Health-related plans result from in-depth
exchanges between the Student Health Center in conjunction with UWG Emergency Management.
UWG personnel are in regular contact with the CDC, the Georgia Department of Public
Health, and county health districts and would continue this communication throughout
any implementation of the plan.

Should I be tested for the new coronavirus?

According to the CDC, if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness,
such as cough or shortness of breath within 14 days after travel from any affected
country or area with active community transmission, you should call ahead to a healthcare
professional and mention your symptoms and recent travel. If you have had close contact
with someone showing these symptoms who has recently traveled from this area, you
should call ahead to a healthcare professional and mention your close contact and
their recent travel. Your healthcare professional will work with your state’s public
health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.